Workforce programs aid county's job-seekers

Job-seekers receive information on the types of jobs available at Cleveland County Schools at the Cleveland Mall Community Job Fair on Wednesday. (Brittany Randolph/The Star)

By Jessica Pickens / jpickens@shelbystar.com

Published: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 06:00 PM.

While the county unemployment rate decreased from August to September, many residents are still searching for jobs.

“Over the last year, the employment situation has improved gradually, but (unemployment) is still higher than we want it to be,” said Lawrence Roseboro, of the Employment Security Commission. “There are not quite enough jobs to get people back to work.”

The county unemployment rate dropped from 10.7 in August to 9.8 in September, according to a report from the Division of Employment Security Commission (DES).

“The biggest thing is that 80 percent of the jobs (available) are not posted,” said Holly Sweat, Cleveland Community Workforce Development director.

To help get more people in the community employed, the county is holding job fairs and career development courses.

It's Workforce Development Week at Cleveland Community College, and events have included resume, business dress and interview workshops.

In a resume workshop Wednesday, Sweat shared how residents can spotlight skills to secure interviews.

While the county unemployment rate decreased from August to September, many residents are still searching for jobs.

“Over the last year, the employment situation has improved gradually, but (unemployment) is still higher than we want it to be,” said Lawrence Roseboro, of the Employment Security Commission. “There are not quite enough jobs to get people back to work.”

The county unemployment rate dropped from 10.7 in August to 9.8 in September, according to a report from the Division of Employment Security Commission (DES).

“The biggest thing is that 80 percent of the jobs (available) are not posted,” said Holly Sweat, Cleveland Community Workforce Development director.

To help get more people in the community employed, the county is holding job fairs and career development courses.

It's Workforce Development Week at Cleveland Community College, and events have included resume, business dress and interview workshops.

In a resume workshop Wednesday, Sweat shared how residents can spotlight skills to secure interviews.

“The resume doesn’t get you a job; it gets you the interview,” Sweat said. “Your resume highlights your skills; it’s not a memoir.”

Any training people can get to improve their skills for employment will help, and job-seekers should be prepared to take a pay cut, Roseboro said.

“Just be persistent. People get discouraged and have to be flexible on the pay rate,” Roseboro said. “A lot of times you want to make what you were making at your previous job, but you may have to take a cut to get your foot back in your door.”

Cleveland County job-seekers attended a Community Job Fair on Wednesday at Cleveland Mall. Here's what they said about their job searches:

Jay Logan, Shelby: “I am 17 and trying to get a job. I’ve been filling out applications every day, at least 60 so far.”

Chasiaty Hill, Shelby: "I’ve been looking for a job for six months, and I’m looking for anything. The hardest thing about finding a job is needing experience."

Bonnie Mathis, Shelby: “I was working with American Greetings when they downsized and I lost my job. The job fair has been more helpful because it’s been more personal and you are getting to talk with people.”

Ralph Huisen, Shelby: “I’ve been looking for a job for quite awhile. I came to the job fair, because I wanted to see what Cleveland County has to offer and where the employers are.”

Job-seekers: How can you make your resume stand out?

The following tips, from a Resume Workshop during Cleveland Community College’s Workforce Development Week, can help make your resume stand out to potential employers.

-Use descriptive words to talk about previous jobs.

-Employers look at resumes for 15 to 30 seconds, so the documents should be short. Resumes should be no longer than two pages.

-Never write “unemployed” on a resume. Say you were a student or self-employed.